Sony pimps video, stable of titles in safe E3 presentation

The launch of the video download service today for the PlayStation 3 and a …

The last press conference of the big three, Sony's event earlier today in Los Angeles came and went with relatively little fanfare. Most of the company's big titles for the holiday were on display, but the biggest announcement came by way of the company's otherwise-expected announcement of the official video store, which launches tonight.

Video downloads: rent or own

Through the PlayStation Store, gamers will be able to access a host of video content pulled from some big name providers. Video rentals in both high-definition and standard definition will be available at launch, as will full electronic sell-through videos which users will own. Prices for content range from $1.99 per episode for TV show downloads, to $2.99–5.99 for movie rentals, and $9.99-14.99 for full movies.

Content providers announced for the launch of the service include the likes of Fox, MGM, Lionsgate, Warner, Disney, Paramount, Turner, Funimation, and, of course, Sony Pictures. Movies available on the service, as of tonight, include Reservoir Dogs, the Robocop trilogy, Bank Job, Cloverfield, and many more.

In addition to the draw of getting video content through the PS3, the video store will make use of the new single sign-on nature of the PlayStation Store account to allow users to access their content on an unlimited number of devices including the PSP. Users will be able to download the videos over USB to their PSP units or from the PlayStation Store on the PC.

The video store allows content providers to skin their own sections of the store. Content can be sorted into new arrivals, genres, studios, and more, and users can view trailers directly from in the Store. Best of all, progressive downloading is supported, allowing users to begin watching movies while they download.

Also announced on the digital media front was a new pay-per-view distribution channel for automotive entertainment through Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Car-related programming from around the world, including Top Gear and Super GT, will be available for download through Gran Turismo TV.

We've got games, too

Sony CEO Jack Tretton came out with a simple message: the ten-year plan is still in effect, and the PlayStation 3 has yet to come into its own. The company also pushed its upcoming PS3 lineup, which includes the expected titans Resistance 2, LittleBigPlanet, and Motorstorm 2 alongside new titles like Quantum of Solace, NBA 09 The Inside, and Eternal Sonata.

The PlayStation Network will be getting its fair share of love, too, with a host of new titles due by the end of the year, including Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty which lands this summer for $14.99. Tretton noted that there have been over 180 million pieces of content downloaded since the service launched in November 2006, and the company plans to continue to support the platform with new and great games while still opting for quality over quantity.

And, of course, the future looks bright. God of War 3 and a new title from Zipper Interactive called MAG were shown for the PS3 and a new Resistance title for PSP called Retribution were on display, tantalizing hints of things to come in 2009. We'll have more coverage of some of the smaller announcements and hands on with these games, and more, in Opposable Thumbs.

Amidst the company's stylish set-up, complete with over 50 LCDTVs, though, the sense of delay was ever-present: Sony reiterated numerous times throughout the press conference that the company has a ten-year vision for the PS3 and that users will need to hang on through the rough beginnings for the glorious pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Home is still coming... some day. Killzone 2 is coming, some day. All of these promises repeated over the years were again reiterated. And with each successive year, it's getting harder and harder to get excited about a future that never seems to arrive.